Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Last week Hip Hostess had a call from one of our corporate clients to create a cocktail party with a magic theme. They would provide the actual magician...we just needed to drive the theme home.

But with corporate events it is all about balance. This can't look like a kids birthday party with too many cutesy details...a little kitsch goes a long way. So here are the ways that we brought the magic to cocktail hour.

Every party needs some form of crudite. For our party, we served individual portions in mini magic hats. Each hat contained a plastic ramekin filled with dip and assorted veggies.

To add height on our buffet spread, we wanted to fill vases with an iconic magic flower...the red rose. To drive the theme even further, we covered our vases with special black and silver playing cards that we found at a local magic shop.

I find dessert to be magical no matter what, but these are especially magical. We Harry Pottered some pretzel rods with milk and white chocolate to create magic wands at the bar.

And so that every guest would have a take-away that reminds them of the party, we wrapped candy bars in custom labels so they would look like a deck of cards.

Monday, February 27, 2012

I realize that today is Monday, and it really isn't appropriate to talk about booze when the work week is beginning. But I just finished dog-earring about 1000 pages of my most recent Bon Appetit Magazine...again...and I have to share something that will spice up your next weekend libations. Homemade Spiced Rum.

This isn't the spiced rum of the college days (you know what I mean). I am talking about an herbal blend marinating in quality rum to create a depth of flavor that will make you so happy. Here's a link to the recipe.

Buy the ingredients by tomorrow. Marinate the rum for two days. And thank me after next weekend.

Friday, February 24, 2012

So this past weekend I finally had the time to replenish my dwindling supply of make-up, which of course meant a trip to the make-up counters at Bloomies and Sephora.

I have a love/hate relationship with both of these places. I love products, but I hate the hard sell. And don't even get me started on the DJ booth at Sephora on Saturday nights. I'm too old for clubs now, why do the DJs need to attack me when all I want is answers on which mascara won't smudge all over my face???

I wish I had done a bit of research about the new trends in make-up/beauty for Spring 2012 before shopping. With so much pressure, loud music, and sales people wearing WAY too much make-up, I just retreat to my shimmery brown shadow.

But this is what the fashion world thinks we should do this year, according to Elle Magazine. What do you think?

1. Voluminous Locks.

Dust off those hot rollers.

2. Strong BrowsDrop the tweezers and pick up the eyebrow pencil.

3. Strong Navy Smokey Eye.

Can I really pull this off???

4. Shimmery eyes.

From super dark to barely there.

5. Red LipsWoot woot!! Still going strong and I have the perfect colors picked out.

6. Cat Eye.

Note to self: Study Adele to perfect this look.

7. Bronzy cheeks.

Oiy Vey. My fair skin always comes off as looking "dirty" when I try bronzer. Guess I'll have to work at this one.

8. Bob Cuts.

Not happening for me this year...I've taken way too much time to grown my hair out to cut it all off. But love the look.

9. Thick, blunt bangs.

Skipping this one too, but dig the retro vibe.

What do you guys think? Would you employ any of these trends in your beauty routine for 2012?

Thursday, February 23, 2012

I am not really what you would call a snacker.I constantly say starting at 10:00am, “I am starving and can’t wait for lunch.”But even then I don’t usually eat anything, I just continue to say that relentlessly until noon rolls around. Wouldn’t you like to hang around me!I usually have a 3 o’clock lull and may grab a little piece of chocolate but never really sit around with a bowl or bag of something.

But that may all very well change and I may myself become a snacker, thanks to Jacques Torres chocolate covered cheerios.There is something about the combo that really works.Plus if someone tries to eat some, I just say, “I need all of them because I’m trying to lower my cholesterol.”

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I don't know about you guys, but when I buys toys for my nieces and nephews or my friends' kids, I am struck at how ugly a lot of them can be. Once you become a parent are you destined to have a load of loud, primary-colored plastic strewn all over your home? Not so fast. There is Dwell Studio.

I love Dwell Studio for everything from furniture, to throw pillows, to bedding. And they have the most chic baby/kids gifts on the market. Each piece is so thoughtfully designed. I've attached some of my favorites - beautiful blocks, shape puzzles, and reusable placemats for coloring. But you really need to check out their site, because there is SO much more.

Monday, February 20, 2012

I would love to go to Mardi Gras but having one night of fun and then 2 days in bed trying to recover tells me I am a little past my big party drinking prime.BUT that doesn’t mean that I still can’t enjoy Mardi Gras in Brooklyn.Tuesday night I am going to prepare a chicken and andouille gumbo paired with a nice Abita beer.I will still get a taste of the big easy and my liver will sure thank me.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sometimes life gets in the way and we forget to slow down and just appreciate things.That’s why I like Valentine’s Day because it reminds you to do just that.Some people feel it is a greeting card and chocolate company holiday.But I think every once in awhile a special date on the calendar is just what we need to remind us to be grateful for the ones we love.

That being said, last year was a great Valentine’s day.The hubby and I made a romantic dinner of surf and turf together and then talked for hours over a fantastic bottle of wine.I will admit that the surf and turf and wine came together as I flew around Brooklyn a little panicked.

This year I am going to be fully prepared and enjoy the whole day instead of just the evening.That’s why I thought it was perfect when I ran across Kiki’s creations printable cards.They are adorable and with the series of 8, I’m going to hide them around the apartment to surprise my husband in the morning.